The Deadlift

We have Bear-ly scratched the surface.

For all you Bear Fitness Fans out there I am sure you read our interview with one of our PTs Sarah Ryder (http://www.bearfitness.london/blog/the-bear-interv.... As Sarah mentioned in the interview, her favourite workout move is the Deadlift. At Bear Fitness, this makes us very happy and we feel that there isn't generally enough focus placed on this particular skill (and we are calling it a skill because once you have mastered it you wont forget it).

So why do we perform the Deadlift and what is all the fuss about? Well, you can release your bated breath because you're about to find out!

The Deadlift has too many benefits to go through here in great detail, but here are a couple to persuade you to give it a go:

‘I have lower back pain/my back is sore/weak/etc.’ If you encounter such problems, the Deadlift is the perfect exercise for you as a lot of back trouble comes from weak spinal erectors that cannot maintain a stable position. The Deadlift teaches and trains the back to remain stable whilst exposed to high shear forces, thus ultimately alleviating this cursed back pain.

There is also a correlation (scientific paper) between lower back pain and weak glutes. A way to fire up those glutes and nip the pain in the (butt) bud would be to add a strengthening exercise to your programme - such as the Deadlift.

To move to a slightly more gym based functionality, the Deadlift is a relatively risk-free move to preform: there is no chance of crushing yourself under the bar, such as can happen with other (great) moves such as the squat and bench press.

'I have tight hamstrings.' This is a common problem, and can confront anyone, whether you exercise in the gym, out of the gym or anywhere in the world. However, don't lose hope! The Deadlift presents a perfect way to a way to combat this issue. Reduce the weight and you can use the Deadlift as a form of rehabilitation, ensuring the hamstring stretches and getting an increased range of motion.

Sticking with functionality, lifting objects from the ground is something that we all regularly do no matter what our lifestyle; hence being confident in this action directly affects your everyday life for the positive. With regards to strength, as it is not really possible to affect the performance of the Deadlift with technology (unlike, for example, with swimming, where an expensive suit can greatly boost your performance, or with cycling, where shaving your legs can help to ultimately increase your speed) it is a great and true test of strength.
As regards cardio, if performed at the right intensity the Deadlift can - and will - maximally and acerbically (without oxogyen) tax your CV system, challenging and improving it.

So there you have it all very short and sweet - why you should deadlift. Next up - How do I deadlift?